Mop swab and head



Oct. 3, 1933. L M. THORNTON i Y 1,929,222

MOP SWAB AND HEAD Filed Sept. 20, 1930 A l?? l/ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1933 1,929,222' VMOP swAn AND HEAD n Leslie M. Thornton,v Kansas City, Mo.

Application September 20, 1930 SerialNo. 483,222,

lo'oiaims. r(C1. 15f229)v My invention relates to mop swabsand heads,`

and more particularly to a ydouble faced reversible mop swab and a mop head for pivotally supporting the same on a handle.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a mop 'swab that can be readily assembled with a mop head, and more particularly with a reversible mop head made of Wire or similar material that is so constructed that thersame may'jbe moved into a plurality of angular positions relative to the handle of the mop and will remain in adjusted `angular position, the handle of the mop passing through an opening in theswab to permit the same to assume the-different angular positions thereof.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a mop swab and mopY head that are,

so shaped and are of such relative proportions that the mop swab will not be accidentally =dis`t assembled from the mop head, although the` sameV may be readily put into position and readily re-` moved from the headof the Vmop by contraction of the mop head to either assemble` or disassemble the swab and head.

1t is a further purpose of my invention to provide a mop swab'th'at is provided with a body portion of fabric that is so shaped that the mop will readily enter corners and'recesseasuch as. exist in the walls of rooms under ordinary circumstanceaf and which at the same timeis so shaped that there will be aminimum waste of materialY in cutting out the blanks or sections.

of cloth from which 'the `mop swab is made.

In order to do this the sections of the mop swab body `portion of fabric are made of a triangular form with a Vrounded Vforward end portion and` thereof, Vand with the'side edges of the same straight or substantially straight.- The maximum` over all length of the body portion of the-mop"` swab is preferably greater than the maximum width or transverse 'diameter of said body portion.

it is al further purpose of my invention `to provide a mop swab that has the yarn secured to and extending from both faces thereof, said yarn being preferably secured to each of theV two sections of fabric forming the body portion of the swab by continuous stitching Yto thus simplify the application of the yarn to the body portion, and in order to assure the rm securement of said yarn to said fabric it is first stitched down by Vone continuous seam, and then Visi stitchedy down a vsecond time by a seam Vrunning substantially parallel to the firstseam and closely adjacent thereto. A K It is a further purpose of my invention to provide. a mop swab that' issol constructed and providedk with a slot" or opening of such sizev said frame vor head portion can be readily-engaged with the corresponding '-portionsof. the pocket throughthe openings provided in .said pocket along the edges of said slot or recess in the body portion. Y r

Other objects and advantages-of my invention will 'appear as the description ofwthe drawingr proceedsa desire to have it understood-howeverythat I do notintendrtolimit myself `to the details of structure shown ordescrib'ed; except as denedby the claims. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional viewthrough' the mop swab taken substantiallyvon a plane corresponding to thatoffthe mop head, Vthe mop headl being shown in elevation, and being-fshovmfin normal condition. y Li Fig. 2 is a fragmentarysectional view-simi1ari to Fig. 1, showing the frame' in contracted position, and the body portion expanded transversely at' the wide slotted. end thereof to .permit assembly of the same with the mop head.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view looking downwardly at an oblique angle. atthe mop swab and head, showingthe mop head being moved intdposition' to be assembled with themop swab'. 2 D f- Fig. 4 is a perspective'view partly braken away. showing the two halvesof rthe body portion' of the mop partly sewed together. s f f` Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-'75 of Figf is a perspective View of.y one of the "mop swab body fabric sections or blanks, and'y c' Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic viewiof" a piece of proved mop swab is made to be used witha' tri-H 105 angular mop head or frame thatis so constructed that the same .may be contracted at the wide 16o fabric showing the manner' in which thefabric rear end thereof to reduce' the `transverse diam-i eter of said head or frame. The frame ifsfprefe'r-QA ably made of wire, and as willfvbeclea'rfrom Figs;

head portion, and the opposite rear corners ofl f K 1, 2 and 3, said frame is preferably provided with 0f the side members 11, but preferably slightly to ,the rear of the center thereof, where said por-I tions 13 of the frame are welded or otherwise lse cured at 14 to the straight` side members I1. From this point the aligned pivot members 15 extend inwardly and through the bearing members 16, made in the form of sleeves, on the clip '17.

The inner ends 18 of said. pivot members 15, are' turned substantially at right angles to the vmenibers 15 and are normally in engagement with the inner opposed end facesA of the tubular or` sleeve-like bearing. members 16,k being held in such engagement by the resiliency of theiframe, which is made of spring wire, and engaging said inner' ends of said tubular; members 16 with-sufcient friction'. to hold the mopA frame or head inany desired angular position relative to the handle 1'9, which carries; the clip' 17. v

The pivot members 15 are longitudinally slidable the tubular or sleeve-like members v16 to permit contractiony of the frame transversely thereof toareduce the width thereof at the point of maximum transverse: width of the'same, orat the: rear end' portion thereof. The cross members-142 are ofV such length as to leave a relativelyl large amount of space between the inner' ends'I thereof at the pointV wherexthe portions Y13 ofthe frame join therewith, to permit such transverse contraction of the frame as' maybe desired, the. contraction Vof said' frame` being limited only by the: engagement of the laterally bent ends 18 of the members 15 with each other..

The relative size of the opening between' said members 12 at thezrear end of the mop head'and the wire clip supporting means 20, is such that thev clip supporting means can' always` be swung freely through said.' opening. The triangular portions provided in the frame rearwardly of the pivot members 15- comprising therrear transverse portions 12', the obliquely extendingportions 13, and part of the side members 1-l,v provide a pair of. spaced heel portions triangular in shape at thev rear of the frame or head..

The mopl swab cooperating. with said head or frame ismade of such a size and shape that the samewillsnugl-y fit about the frame, as shown in Fig. 1, when the frame is'A in normal position with the laterally projecting vportions 18 in' frictional engagement with ther inner ends ofthe tubular or sleeve-like members; 16 on the clip 17. The mop Vswab however, made slightly larger thanY the frame in the factory, as a slight amount of shrinkage: will` occur in laundering and this is allowed for so that. the relative proportion of the parts shown in Fig.; 1 will exist after the mop swab hasl been washed, as otherwise the mop swab might contract the frame when: placed in position thereon causing the members 18 to be moved out of. frictional engagementy with the rear end ofthe sleeve-like members 1'6, and interfering with thefrictional action between these parts,

which causes the frame to be heldinrany adjusted position relative to the, handle. While the swab is provided with a pocket in the body portion thereof, .that is of such al size after washing the swab that the same will be substantially smooth and extended when the same is in position on the frame, it will not be stretched by the frame to the extent that it will prevent the laterally directed end members 18 on the frame from serving their purpose. v

The body portion of the swab comprises a pair of fabric sections 21, which are generally triangular in shape, having the rounded forward end portions 22 and the straight side portions 23, diverging continuously from said rounded forward end portions22 to the rear end portions of said members. The rear end portions of the members 21 have the slots 24 therein, that define the heel portions 2.5 that are spaced from each other, and which have the substantially straight'rear edges 26 aligning with each other, andjoined with the straight side edges 23 of the. members 21, by the slightly rounded corners 27.. The side edges 28 of the slots are curved slightly to provide afrelativelyfnarrow entrance to the slots anda wider portionat `the inner ends of the slots 24 whichV have the curved edges 29 joining the edges 28, said slots extending inwardly from: the rear edges of the sections 21 substantially on the longitudinal center line of the same.

The triangular shape of the blanks or fabric sections 21, two or which form the body portion of the -mop swab, is particularly advantageous in connection with the cost of the mop swabs, as it results in a great saving ofmaterial over any other .feasible shape of mop swab body portion, this being obvious from Fig. 7, in which a sheet of fabric 30, is'shown. By cutting the fabric members 21 from the material vso that thetsame are cut therefrom in alternating arrangement, as will be evident'from Fig. 6, that is, with one thereof cutr from the fabric so that the'rounded` end` 22 'is adjacent the one side edge Blof the fabricg'and the adjoining ones with the rear edges 26 aligning with the edge 31 of the fabric there is but very little'waste, there being only twoy small substantially triangular pieces of fabric 32, wasted between' the adjoining ends of the fabric members and the portions 24' that are cut out Vto form the slots 24. In other words, there are twoV of the pieces 32 and theone piece 24 wasted for each ofthe members 21, and that is all.

The over all length of each of the members 21 from the extremity of the rounded end 22 to a line connecting the rear edge portions 26 thereof, is somewhat greater than the greatest transverse dimension of lthe member 21, which is that dimension from the point where the curved edge 2'7 meets the straight edge 23, on one side of said member 21 to the 4corresponding point on the other side thereof, or very closely adjacent the extreme rearedge 26 of the same. YThis provides ari elongated triangular shape for the body porn lat" providedY thereon on one face thereof, so as tov make a double faced mop swab when the same is completed. The yarn or thread33 is securedto 'the fabric members21 by means lof stitching.

The strands of the yarn or thread are placed in as nearly parallel position as these can be placed in engagement with'V that surface of the member 21, which will form the outer face thereof, and

are-stitched tothe member 21, suitable lines 54 being preferably printedonthe members 21 to. aid ,the operator in sewing the yarn thereto .at the proper place r fr j The stitchingisbegun at the point 34and a continuous seamis run aroundfthef member 21 from Vthe point34, following the path shown in the drawing first extending diagonally,-asfshown at 35, to a pointopposite .the rounded end 29, of the slot 24, then substantially parallel vto -the centerline of the slot, but spaced from Vthe edge 28 thereof, as'shown clearly in Fig. 4, to a point 36 spaced from the rear edge-26 of the blank 21, then parallel to said rear edge 26,` the curved corner 2'7, the straight side edge 23, the rounded forward end 22and the other straightside edge 23 at substantiallyzthe same distance from all said edges,'then substantially parallel to the opposite rounded corner 27 at the rear -of the member 21, and substantiallyp'arallel to the rear edge 26 of the opposite heel portion 25 until the point 36' is reached on the opposite side ofthe slot-24, then parallel to the centerline ofV said slot 24 until a point opposite' the rounded end 29 of said. slot 24 is reached, and from that pointdiagonally, as indicatedat 35', back to thepoint of beginning Y After the yarn has been stitched-down-in this manner by one seam, the same is yfirmly secured tothe member 21, but some of the strands thereof may not have been caught by the seam.' In order to assure that Yall the threads are firmly anchored, kthe yarn is stitched down'a second timeV by a seam running substantiallyparallel to,` and very closely adjacent the first seam, as will be evident from Fig. 4, and inasmuch as the rst seam was a continuous one, this can'be readily and very quickly done by merely straightening out the strands of yarn and again running the. member 21 with the yarn thereon through the sewing machine, following the rst seam in doing so. f

There is a great advantage obtained by having a continuous seam for holdingthe yarnin. position, such continuous seam saving much unnecessary sewing, such as would be the case Where the yarn is not arranged in sucha continuous manner. This is possible Vdue to the shape of the mop swab, and due to the fact that the stitching that forms the means of securement for the yarn,v and thus determines the arrangement of the yarnv on the swab comprises an` inner substantially V-shaped port-ion, and an outer substantially U- shapedv portion -connected'by the transverse portions parallel tothe rear edges 26 of the mop 21. A binding 37 of tape'V is stitched around the edges 28 and 29 of each of the slots 24 to strengthen and prevent rayelling of the fabric. When the tape 37 is sewed tothe edges 28.and.29 the same tends to slightly distort the fabric throwing thel adjacent sides of the heel portions on opposite sides of the entrance `to thefslot slightly away from each other. This'causes a widening of the slot atv the entrance thereto! and causes the edges 28 to assume more nearly a parallel" relation to each other than ybefore applying the. binding.

To complete the. mop swab", two' of the fabric sections 2l are placed in face to face relationship with the yarn outward, and the sections 21 are Vsecured together by means of a tape binding 38,Y Y which passes around the'edge's122, 23, 27 and 26. of

the members 21,l and is stitched thereto. kThe tape 38 extends only to the cornerwhere the rear edge 26 meets theY edgeZS, at each side of the f' slot 24', said tape 38 overlappingthe tape37. *Ai

rowoffdiagonal stitches 40'is provided at each offthe corners rof the heel portions of the swab adjacent the slot124, which forms-a very .small pocket in said corner to receive the slightly roundedlcorner 41 ofthe frame at the `junction ofthe portions 12 and 13 thereof. n

rIhis will prevent accidental disengagement 'of the mop head and swab when the head is in its normalor extended condition. Furthermore, the distanceffrom the point where the diagonal stitching 40 meets the edge 28 'on each side of the 'swab to the 'extreme forward end portion ofthe roundedforward end 22, is less than-the distance from the'corner 42 of the frame to the point 43 on the opposite' sidesof the frame,rwhere .the curved forward end 10 'ofthe framefmeets the straight side 11 thereof, when vsaid-frame is in normal condition." .fi

v In assembling the frame the rear portion ofthe swab is stretched transversely, which is possible'due to the provision. of the slot 24', vtose'parate the heelportions 25 thereof asf much aspossible, andthe frameis contracted transversely in the manner shown in Fig. 3, theframe being moved longitudinally-*toward'the opening V44 that exists' between the 'edges 28 and the edges 29 at theslot 24,- the forward rounded end v10 oftheframe 'being passed longimop swab withy the: head `or. I

tudinally'into the pocket in the swabA inthe same manner that a handle is inserted in a glove, this being continued until the rounded end 10 of thev frame is in engagement with the rounded end 22 n of the swab, at. whichtime thecorners 42 of the frame willlie adjacentthe ends ofthe opening 44 at the point where the stitchinggr40 meets the" edges28.

The rear portion of the swabis stretched trans-j verselyatj this time, as indicatedin Fig. 2, the

to washing, willbe of sufiicient size ythat the heel portionsof the swab will pass over the corners 42 by pullingV slightlyzon said heel .portions in-a" direction lengthwise Yof the side membersv 11 of the frame, the fabric then being--stretched'substan-l tially to its limit from the point where Vthe stitching l0-meets' theedge 28 onone side of the opening'orslot .24,:to the point. 43.0n the opposite' side of the frame, where bending of the member 11 takesplace as` the frameis contracted crosswise.

After the corner `42fhas been passed `by the in--l ner'edge ofthe heel .portionso'n opposite sides of:

the: slot 24, the Aswab ycan bev readilymoved into position onto the frame by pushing the heel portions thereof vtowardeach other on. the heel portions of theframe. i With the Iframein normal l position-thedistance from the corner 42 tothe point 43 Von theopposite sideofthe-frame is greater than thev distancefrom' the pointl Where the ,stitching 40 meets the edge 28 on the corresponding heel portion of theswab to the extreme forward endportion 22 of saidswab,-which makes it impossible forthe swab vto accidentally come off the head or :frame of the mop.w.This is one of the reasons for making Athe frame' Vof a triangulari shape with' the straight sides `11` andthe swab.

to prevent the raveliing of the edgesof the fabric members 2'1, which are cut on the bias, and furthermore prevents the' wire frame from coming into contactwith thev furniture; `or woodwork in using the. mop, as it provides a thick doubled edge portion around the frame.V L

Having thus described my inventionwhat' I claim isz- Y 1. In a mopswab, a .body portion comprising a. pair of fabric members,each of said fabric members tapering from a wide rear `end portion to a narrow rounded forward end portion andV each having. an elongated narrow slot extending substantially centrally .from the rear edge thereof toward said forward end, said fabric membersv beingv secured together adjacent the peripheral edges thereof from therear `,end thereof to said. forward end and having the entire rear edges thereof on opposite. sides of said slot secured together, said slot defining a pair ofv wide, elongated, spaced heel. portions' on each. of said members, the edges of each of Asaid membersl defining said slots being free to provide a slit said body portion. opening into the pocket formed by said members.. f Y

2. In a mop swab, a body portion comprising a pair of duplicate fabric members,.- each of said fabric members tapering from a wide. rear end portion to a narrow rounded forward end portion and each having an elongated narrow slotl extending substantially centrally from the rear edge thereof toward said forward. end, said fabric members being secured together adjacent the peripheral edges thereof. from the rear end thereof to said forward 'end andhaving the entire rear edges thereof on opposite sides of said slot secured together, the edges of each. of `said Yniembers defining said slots being freeto provide a slit in said body portion opening into the pocketV forme-d by saidmembers, said slot extending to adjacent the center of said bodyv portion to define av pair of spaced, wide, elongated separable. heel pocket portions lying slightlyto the rear of said center on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of said body portion and a triangular pocket portion of substantially fixed width forwardly of said slot, said heel pockets being open. to said triangular pocket and to saidslot, but

beingotherwise closed,

3. In a mop swab, a body portion comprising a pair of fabric members, each of said -fabriczmembers. having a narrow rounded forward end portion and a wide rear end portion and each having a longitudinal slot extending'inwardly from the central portion of the rear' end thereof, said'slot defining heel` portions on opposite sides thereof, said members having ali the peripheral edges. thereof stitched together except the edges fornr' ing said slot, the edges ofsaidmembers defining said slot being.V left free except adjacent the rear corners of said heel portions adjacent said. slot and stitching extending diagonally across said; cornersV securing together said` corners ofv said heel portions.` i

4. In a mop swab, a body portion comprising a pair of fabric members; each of said fabric members tapering from a wide rear end portion to" a narrow roundedV forward end portion and each having an elongated narrow slot extending substantially centrally from. the'rear edge thereof towardv said forward end, a binding strip secured around the edges of each of said slots, said fabric members being secured together adjacent the peripheral edges thereof from the rear end thereof to said forward end and having. the entire rear transverse edges thereof fon. opposite sides of said slot securedtogether to completely close the same, said slot defining a. pair of elongated spaced heel portions on each of said members gradually wideningtoward therear edges thereof, theedges. of

eachof said members defining said slots being free to provide a slit in said'body portion opening into the pocket formed .by said members,

5. in. a mop swab, a body portion comprising a pair of fabric members, each of said fabric members having a. narrow rounded forward end and gradually widening rearwardly therefrom, and each having'a longitudinal slot. extending inwardly from the central portion ofthe rear end thereof, said slot extending inwardly to adjacent the center of each of said members and defining elongated heell portions wider than said slot on opposite sides' thereof., said members having all the peripheral edges thereof stitched togetherexcept the `edges forming' said slot.

' `6*,'In a mop swab, a body portion adapted to receive amop head comprising a pair of duplicate fabric .members having each a pair of straight side edges converging. toward. a 'rounded forward end portion, said fabric members being secured togetherby-.stitching along said side edges and said forward end portion to form a pocket between said fabric vmembersl of a generally triangular shape, said fabric members. each having substantially straight rear edges extending inwardly toward each other from said straight side edges and terminating in spaced relation to provide a slot in. said body'portion. extending inwardly from the rear edge thereof toward the center of said body portion andv defining a pair ofl spaced heel portions at. the rear end of said body portion, the rear edges of said` fabricvmembers being joined together by stitching, but being.

lIO

left free along theA side edges and inner edge of Y other to reduce the maximum transverse dimension thereof and defining a central opening between .the same, of a triangular mop swab comprising a body portion having substantially the same length and maximum transverse'dimension as said frame when in normal. position, and having .a portion thereof cutaway at the rear wide end thereof to provide a slot extending inwardly from the rear edge of said body portion, and de. finingv a pair of spaced heel portionsv having closed rear edges, said body portion forming a pocket open around. the edges of said slot, whereby said heel portions are movable transversely away from each other to pass saidmop head in contracted condition through' saidslot and into said pocket,v and said'k heelportions of said frame into interlocking engagement with the heel portions of said swab, the heel portions of said frame being completely enclosed within the heel portions of said swab. Y

8. In a mop swab, a body portion adapted to receive a mop head comprising a pair of duplicate fabric members having each a pair off pocket between said fabric members of a generally triangular shape, said fabric members each having substantially straight rear edges extending inwardly toward each other from said straight side edges and terminating in spaced relation to provide a slot in said body portion extending inwardly from the rear edge thereof toward the center of said body portion and defining a pair of spaced heel portions at the rear end of said body portion, the rear edges of said fabric members being joined together by stitching, but being left free along the side edges and inner edge of said slot to provide means for slipping a mop head into the pocket formed between said fabric members, and yarn stitched to each of said fabric members by a continuous seam extending substantially parallel to the side and rear edges of said body portion and to the sides of said slot, and forming an outer U-shaped band of yarn and an inner V-shaped band of yarn joined at the rear of said heel portions.v

9. The combination with a triangular mop head having a rounded forward end portion and having its greatest width at the rear end thereof, said rear end comprising a pair of spaced forwardly tapering, elongated, heel portions movable toward each other to transversely contract said head at its portion of greatest width, of a triangular mop swab having a body portion provided with a rounded forward end portion and being of greatest width at the rear end thereof, the length of said head and swab body portion and the width of said head and 'swab body portion being substantially the same in normal undistorted condition, said body portion having an elongated slot extending inwardly from the rear edge thereof to denne a pair of forwardly tapering elongated heel portions, said body portion forming a pocket open only at the edges Y of said slot, said heel portions of said swab being movable transversely away from each other on opposite sides of said slot to increase the maximum width of said body portion to enable the extremities of the heel portions of said frame While contracted to be passed between the edges of said slot adjacent the rear edge of said body portion and into the heel portions of said pocket with the forward rounded end of said frame seated in the forward rounded end of said pocket, and the rear transverse members of the heel portions of said head in engagement throughout their width with the closed rear edges of said heel portions of said swab. Y

10. In a mop, a contractible resilient triangular frame having spaced heel portions terminating in inwardly extending end portions forwardly of the rear edge thereof normally spaced from each other to provide an opening in said frame between said heel portions, a triangular reversible mop swab having a pocket therein for receiving said frame and having a slot extending inwardly from the rear edge thereof, having the edges thereof free to provide an opening to said pocket narrower than said frame in normal position, but wider than said frame in contracted position to permit assembly of said mop swab on said frame, and a clip having means thereon for attaching the same to a handle, saidclip having axially spaced bearing members thereon pivotally receiving the inwardly extending end portions of said frame and cooperating means on said spaced bearing members and said inwardly extending end portions to transversely tension said resilient frame whereby said cooperating means are frictionally held in engagementl by the resilient action of said frame, said end portions being spaced apart a distance such as to permit transverse contraction of said frame so that said mop swab may be slipped thereon by a longitudinal movement thereof relative to said frame, said slot providing an opening for the passage of said clip therethrough'upon reversal of said mop, and said Y 

